Psychological research has long been critical in advancing our understanding of behavior and the mind, from Wilhelm Wundt’s creation of the first experimental psychology laboratory in 1879 to modern research using artificial intelligence to support mental health care. As the field has evolved, scientists have refined psychology research methods, leading to groundbreaking discoveries that continue to shape both theory and practice.
Whether pursuing a degree in psychology or simply exploring an interest in research, learning about psychological research methods offers valuable insight into how scientific inquiry leads to significant advances in the field.
The Importance of Research Methods in Psychology and Their Applications
Scientists who employ various research methods in psychology and make breakthroughs that enhance our knowledge about psychology can have a significant impact on our lives. From influencing the delivery of mental health care to helping shape technology, research in psychology is critical in improving the lives of countless individuals.
You can find evidence of the importance of psychological research in many facets of life:
- Psychological research has uncovered important relationships among anxiety, depression and resilience, including how enhancing resilience can alleviate anxiety and depression.
- The research from psychological studies associated with climate change has identified how the related psychological distress can affect individuals’ efforts to address climate change.
- Advances in psychological research have greatly enhanced our understanding of autism spectrum disorder and related diagnoses.
- Research in psychology has uncovered how certain psychological interventions can help reduce poverty.
- Psychological research is playing a significant role in the creation of technology that protects users, safeguards privacy and promotes equity.
What Are the Main Types of Research Methods in Psychology?
Whether individuals are considering careers with a psychology degree or simply want to understand how researchers conduct studies in psychology, it can be fascinating to explore the various types of research methods in psychology. Broadly, the methods of research that psychological researchers use can be divided into three categories:
- Causal
- Descriptive
- Correlational
Exploring these approaches to conducting psychological research can provide a window into how researchers design studies and draw conclusions from their findings.
1. Causal Research Method
Also referred to as experimental research, causal research examines whether one variable can cause a change in another, identifying cause-and-effect connections.
Researchers typically conduct causal research through controlled experiments. They manipulate or change independent variables while observing changes in dependent variables, allowing them to make conclusions about the effects of their manipulations.
Characteristics of the Causal Research Method
Causal research is typically characterized by:
Active manipulation of an independent variable. This allows a researcher to test hypotheses about cause by making a change, then measuring its effect on another variable. For example, this could involve changing the dosage of a drug to measure the effect on a patient.
Use of a control group. This serves as a baseline, lends validity to the research and helps researchers interpret results correctly.
Control over extraneous variables. This is critical for concluding that changes in a dependent variable were caused by manipulation of an independent variable.
Random assignment of members to a test group. This is important in reducing bias and ensuring that observations are caused by manipulation of an independent variable rather than preexisting differences among test group participants.
Advantages and Challenges of the Causal Research Method
In examining psychology research methods, understanding some of the advantages of causal research is important. Advantages include that causal research can:
Be an effective method for testing new ideas
Produce objective results
Help identify specific approaches to improving processes and informing decision-making
However, the challenges of causal research also highlight its limitations. For example, researchers can encounter difficulty in performing experiments that reflect all the variables that exist in the real world, and it can be challenging to control extraneous variables.
Examples of the Causal Research Method in Psychology
Reviewing examples of causal research in psychology helps illustrate how researchers have applied this method in practice:
A 2025 study in Educational Psychology Reviewreported on the causal effect of family socioeconomic status on educational achievement and attainment.
A 2025 study in Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science suggested a framework for using causal research to explore the effects of major life events, such as job loss and marriage, on people’s lives.
A 2023 study in Open Journal of Accounting relied on causal research to determine the effects of leadership styles on accountants’ work behavior.
2. Descriptive Research Method
As the name implies, the descriptive research method concentrates on describing a situation, issue or study group. Through descriptive research studies, researchers can gain important information, such as context and background information, critical details and patterns of interest.
Unlike causal research, which identifies cause and effect, descriptive research provides a comprehensive picture of the present state of a situation. This can be particularly valuable when researchers require information about very complex matters. Descriptive research can also provide researchers with critical information on an issue’s scope, which can be valuable for further research.
Researchers can conduct descriptive research through case studies, observation or surveys:
Reviewing case studies can involve performing detailed examinations of test subjects to help analyze a complex issue.
Observation can involve simply watching the subjects in a study and recording their behavior.
Conducting surveys can allow researchers to gather information by asking test subjects specific questions.
Characteristics of the Descriptive Research Method
The descriptive research approach is a method of psychological research characterized by:
Some form of observation of behavior or actions, with no manipulations of variables.. This can allow researchers to gain information on the true nature of their observations.
Collection of information at a single point in time. This can yield a comprehensive picture of behaviors or actions that a researcher observes during a particular time.
Observations in the test subjects’ natural environment.. This can keep researchers from influencing the behavior or actions of the test subjects.
Use of the results for further research. Descriptive research often provides researchers with key background information they can use for further research.
Advantages and Challenges of the Descriptive Research Method
Using the descriptive research method can allow researchers to leverage certain advantages. For example, the descriptive research approach is a psychological research method that can:
Yield a significant amount of detailed data to be analyzed
Provide accurate information on test subjects
Researchers also need to be aware of certain challenges associated with descriptive research. This type of research often yields results that can’t be generalized to an entire population. In addition, in descriptive research studies, researchers are frequently not able to control all variables, which can limit the conclusions drawn from the results.
Examples of the Descriptive Research Method
Examples of the use of the descriptive research method can help in forming an understanding of how researchers have employed this approach:
A 2025 study in the International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health used the descriptive research method to gather information on the personality differences between athletes who participate in team sports and athletes who participate in individual sports.
A 2025 study in SAM Advanced Management Journal used the descriptive research method to collect information on behavioral finance biases and the investment decisions that equity investors make.
A 2024 study in Heliyon employed descriptive research to gather information on personality traits, emotions and obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Correlational Research Method
Psychology research methods also include the correlational research method, in which researchers examine the relationships between variables. This research method can lead researchers to identify:
A positive correlation between variables (for example, variables that increase at the same time or decrease at the same time)
A negative correlation between variables (for example, as one variable increases another variable decreases)
An absence of correlation between variables
When researchers conduct correlational research, they measure the variables under study as they naturally occur, without any manipulation of the variables. This can be useful in highlighting patterns associated with the variables and the nature and strength of any relationships between them.
Common types of correlational research studies include:
Cross-sectional studies that focus on relationships between variables at a single point in time
Longitudinal studies that focus on relationships between variables across a long period of time
Retrospective studies that analyze data from the past to identify relationships between variables
Characteristics of the Correlational Research Method
The correlational research method is characterized by:
Naturalistic observation of variables, with no manipulation or interference with the variables
An emphasis on measurement of variables. by methods such as observation, questionnaires or review of existing information
Collection of data from treal-world scenarios through instruments such as surveys
Calculation of a correlation coefficient to measure the strength and direction of a relationship between variables
Advantages and Challenges of the Correlational Research Method
Employing the correlational research method can be advantageous because it can:
Be done relatively quickly
Be useful in a wide range of settings
Allow researchers to make predictions based on research results
However, the correlational approach to research also has its drawbacks. Correlation isn’t the same as causation, and correlational research won’t establish causation. Unlike causal research, correlational research doesn’t involve manipulating variables and therefore can’t determine whether one variable causes changes in another. It’s important to remember that unknown or unstudied variables that a researcher doesn’t test can be the cause of changes in variables.
Examples of the Correlational Research Method
Researchers have used the correlational research method in various ways:
A 2025 study in the International Journal of Mental Health Promotion used the correlational research method to study the relationship between character strengths and psychological well-being.
A 2025 study in First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal employed correlational research techniques to examine the relationship between knowing an Indigenous language and the mental health of Indigenous people.
A 2025 study in Frontiers in Psychology used correlational research to explore how physical exercise affects learning and self-efficacy.
Qualitative and Quantitative Psychology Research
Anyone starting to explore research methods in psychology needs to become familiar with another common way to categorize psychological research. In addition to looking at psychological research as causal, descriptive or correlational, researchers can classify psychological research as qualitative or quantitative.
Qualitative Psychological Research
When researchers conduct qualitative research, they’re focused on analyzing and interpreting nonnumerical information. They gather this data through activities such as collecting test subjects’ descriptions or through observation. Researchers conduct qualitative research when they want to analyze complex data regarding the subjective experiences that test subjects have.
With a qualitative approach, researchers can gain important insight into and context related to their studies, allowing them to conduct extensive exploration.
Quantitative Psychological Research
In contrast to qualitative research, quantitative research centers on the analysis of numerical information, typically through the use of statistical methods. Quantitative research focuses on measuring objective data, and researchers often use it to reveal patterns, test their hypotheses or develop predictions.
With a quantitative approach, data can be collected relatively quickly, can be interpreted relatively straightforwardly and can typically be replicated.
Mixed-Methods Psychological Research
Psychological researchers can also combine qualitative and quantitative research and conduct mixed-methods research. For example, a 2025 study in the Journal of Emergency Nursing used a mixed-methods approach to research the psychological well-being of the nurses in an emergency department. The researchers:
- Collected quantitative data by asking nurses to complete Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaires, which use a numerical scale
- Collected qualitative data by conducting interviews with nurses
In this study, the researchers used the qualitative data to elaborate on the analysis of the quantitative data and develop a more robust understanding of nurses’ psychological well-being.
How to Develop Psychology Research Skills
Individuals who are interested in psychological research methods can pursue many paths to develop their research skills:
- Earn a degree in psychology. In addition to preparing individuals for several careers, completing a psychology degree allows them to learn about interpreting and evaluating psychological research and following ethical standards when conducting research.
- Participate in a fellowship. Individuals can participate in programs such as the American Psychological Association’s Summer Undergraduate Psychology Experience in Research (SUPER) Fellowship, which allows students to conduct a research project in a psychological laboratory.
- Volunteer for a psychology project. Those who want to gain research experience can volunteer for various psychology projects that can offer them hands-on experience in research settings.
- Take part in an internship. Completing an internship program is another way to acquire research skills and experience. For example, the National Institutes of Health offers a summer internship program through which interns get to work with research groups conducting studies across a wide range of disciplines, including psychology.
- Apply for a research position. People with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can apply for full-time, paid research positions in the field. The American Psychological Association offers some helpful advice on finding these positions.
Following Sound Psychology Research Methods Can Lead to Significant Discoveries in Psychology
Learning about research methods in psychology is an important step in preparing researchers to break new ground in the field and make discoveries that can change people’s lives. Each day, researchers in psychology conduct work that’s essential in advancing the study of the mind and our understanding of human behavior.